Irene Alexander

Irene R. Alexander was born, raised and lived a long life in Jackson, Michigan, dedicating almost ten decades to family and friends. Irene passed away on May 30, 2024, at the age of 98 at the Jackson Mission Point assisted living center where she comfortably lived the final two years of her life. Born on October 18, 1925, to the late John J. and Blanch (Gryczko) Ploch. Her father was born in Poland, immigrated to the United States, lived in Jackson until he returned to Europe with the United States Army to fight in World War I. Irene raised a family with Walter B. Alexander, her husband of nearly 50 years, who preceded her in death in 1993. Her husband and family were the love and focus of her life. Irene is survived by two sons, Charles B. Alexander of Kalamazoo, and David J. Alexander of Muskegon and daughter-in-law Margaret "Peg" (Cummings) Alexander of Muskegon. She is preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Barbara J. (Richardson) Alexander of Kalamazoo. Irene is survived by two grandchildren Jeffery Alexander of Grand Haven and Kimberly Ritter and husband Brad of Kalamazoo; a sister, Delores Finger formerly of Saginaw; three nieces and a nephew along with her best friend's daughter Stacey Lange of Jackson. Great-grandchildren Aiden Alexander, Graham Ritter, and Eliza Ritter brought her much joy watching their talents and adventures. Until she began raising a family, Irene worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company, which also employed her husband, Walter. When her children were older, she sold wallpaper for Modern Paint and Wallpaper in downtown Jackson as she had an exquisite sense of color and assisted customers matching all elements of room decor. Irene had a life-long fascination and interest in weather and was a lover of the Scrabble word game and completing jigsaw puzzles. She was a decades-long member of the social sorority Beta Sigma Phi. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Irene was a member of Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church located at 1111 Carlton Blvd. Jackson, Michigan 49203, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, with the Rev. Fr. Timothy McDonald officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be next to her husband Walter in St. John's Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Queen's Church or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, as Irene was a five-decade breast cancer survivor.